The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-03
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
An Increase in Attendance 1000 Per
Cent. Last Year.

Cent. Last Year.
The system of public education now in sue
cessful operation in this city and county being
intimately connected with the prosperity and
well-being of our people, is entitled to promi-
nent place in our annual exhibit of the years
work. The origin of the system will be best
presented IN the following extract from
the twentieth annual report of the Superinten-
dent:
prior to the war between the sections,
the education of Southern youth was left to the
efforts of private individuals and voluntary
societies. True, there was what purported to be
q free school system in the State, but in fact it
was intended only for the extremely poor, and
was properly designated pauper system + i
The vcisstudes of war and its disastrous termi-
nation inflicted upon the citizens of Savannah
misfortunes which might well appall any
people. While few good private schools were
opened, the people were unable to pay tuition
charges. The interests of the large number of
colored children who had recently emerged
from slavery were eagerly looked after by so
ceties and private individuals at the North. For
the whites who had been ruthessly despoiled
of their property, there not only seemed to be
no sympathy, but our brethren from across
the border were disposed to regard their calami-
tous condition as only just punishment for hav-
ing taken up arms in defense of their dearest
rights. 1t was at this juncture in our history
that number of philanthropic citizens assem-
bled to devise ways and means for meeting
great want of our people. The present system
of public education is the outgrowth of their
deliberations
The best evidence of the growth of this system
can be shown by making comparison of tn
statistics of 1886 with those of 1885, In 1886 aC-
cording to the official record, there was an en-
rolment of $50 pupils, and in 1897 there was an
enrolment of $3.50. The present number of
teachers employed by the board is l06, not in
GLIDING the superintendent, whose entire
time is devoted to the visitation and in
Spection of the schools. The board is COM
posed of twelve gentlemen and the President
is Col. George A. Mercer, whose name alone is
a sufficient guarantee that the educational in
terests of the county will be faithfully guarded
The selection of teachers for the schools is care
fully made, no one being appointed to that
responsible position until the ordeal of a rigid
examination has been passed. AS a consequence
OF this care, the present large corps is made up
of highly intelligent and scholarly gentlemen
and ladies'. The curriculum established by the
board embraces not only the studies necessary
to the obtaining of a thorough educa-
tion in the elementary branches, but
offers more extended course to those pupils
who desire to prepare for admission into the
colleges and universities of the country. From
knowledge OF the teachers employed, and
careful examination of the course of study''
we are satisfied that nothing is gained by send
ing our children to Northern schools The
County Commissioners have shown not only
great liberality, but high appreciation of the
benefits conferred by good system of educa-
ton by increasing from year to year the appro-
priation for the support of the schools.
The past year has been an unusually success
full one in the history of our schools. There has
been large increase in the enrolment. and I'M
usual interest and enthusiasm on the part of
the teachers in their work. We know it TO be a
fact that not few families have, in past years
made Savannah their home in order to avail
themselves of the advantages offered by the pub
lie schools. Their increased excellence and grow
ing popularity will make them in the future an
important factor in promoting the prosperity
and growth of the city. Savannah has certainly
reason TO be proud of her admirable system of
public education.